Imala comes in, glares at Berke's sleeping form then approaches me to lower herself into my lap.
There are millions of situations where this would be damn arousing.
"Do you think my lap is a safe place for you?" I tease her and kiss her shoulder.
She giggles but ignores my question. I happily rest my head on her chest and accept her hug.
"I'm sorry my surprise turned into an ambush attack from your brother."
"No need to apologize. I understand your goal. Your siblings love you. He’s picked on me my entire life." I cup her wrist, rubbing the sensitive skin with my thumb and look her in her eyes. "I want to tell you how amazing you are. Even after your attack and failed kidnapping, you took it upon yourself to take your little ass to Manchester practically alone and force that sonofabitch to come here."
"You're amazing. You saved my life and I wanted to do something big for you. Too bad he reverted to his fucked up ways. I thought it'd be nice for your brother to be at your festivities for the wedding."
"Reverted? He's the same as I remember from childhood. He doesn't like me, nor does he care that I'm his little brother. Before Oran appeared, he used to tell me he’d have all the power and wouldn’t give me shit. I think he has that thing."
"What thing?"
"You know, the inability to care for others beyond what they can do for him."
"Are you saying Berke is like Elmer?"
I'm tired of the tug of war with Berke. I've learned that I can't make him care. Taking a deep sigh, I consider Imala's question.
"Maybe. At least Elmer faked it. He'd pretend to care until it was time to stab you in the back. Berke can't go anywhere without acting like a damn fool."
"I can hear you, asshole," Berke grumbles from his bed.
My body relaxes and the pressure in my chest loosens. I'm glad he's okay but I'm still pissed off.
"Good. I can go back to work."
His handcuffs clank on the bed frame when he tries to move.
"Why the fuck am I handcuffed?"
"You heard me. You act a damn fool everywhere you go," I grit out as I prepare to stand.
Imala climbs out of my lap and leans over Berke's bed.
"It's in case Wyn decides to press charges."
Berke's whiskey eyes shoot to her in horror.
"Press charges against his own brother?" he growls.
"Now, he's conveniently my brother."
He yelps when I punch his thigh.
"Good news. You're not paralyzed."
I kiss Imala on the forehead. "I'll see you after work."
Chapter Thirteen
Imala
I watch Caerwyn walk out seemingly unaffected, but I know the truth. When I'd entered the room, he had that look on his face my mom would have when Esme would rebel and break curfew: pissed but worried.